§ Mr. SCURRasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths occurring in London from gas poisoning; whether he is aware that coal gas in these days is poisonous because it contains water gas, the chief constituent of which is carbon monoxide; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to making regulations for the better security of life?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKSpecial provision is made for recording particulars of deaths attributed to poisoning by gas supplied for use by the public. During 1925, in the areas supplied by the three London gas companies, there were 27 such 335W deaths, in which either an open verdict or a verdict of accidental death was returned. I am aware that the use of water gas in towns' gas increases the proportion of carbon monoxide beyond that found in ordinary coal gas. The hon. Member will be aware that the matter was reported upon in great detail in 1924, and the Government are watching the position most carefully and closely, but at present it is not considered that a further inquiry would serve any useful purpose.